Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Mayor John Linder on education forum

Hon. Mayor John Linder followed a tight schedule Saturday morning, heading straight from Tree Planting at Sun Village Park, to Eastside Ministries for their Education Collaborative Forum for local residents.

Among the elected officials were CUSD School Board Members Charlie Warren II, Anthony Johnson, and Bettie McClairen, whom all spoke on the importance of community involvement in impacting education legislature on a state level.

Paul Gottlieb, representing the Pennsylvania State Education Association, made a pronounced call to action for the entire audience to create an undeniable presence at the federal courthouse at 6th and Market Streets on May 7th, for the purposes of demonstrating to Judge Baylson the severity of Chester’s financial crisis as it pertains to the school district.

All Board Members stressed the importance of civic participation in board processes and administration, as Anthony Johnson stated, “Fill the seats, even if you have no intent to speak, we need you there. We are hoping for a positive outcome in the court case, and believe it can happen.”

“Our board meetings are the second and third Thursday of every month, at 6pm, and they are open and for the public”, added Board Member Bettie McClairen.

Before his exit, Mayor Linder sited, “We have a tendency to react to crisis in an unproductive nature. Let’s organize first. Write down one or two questions you have for your School Board before the meetings so that they may be addressed properly. Research Senate Bill 1450, so that we may be educated not only on what we are up against and fighting for, but also so that we may become more educated voters in a vital process ultimately impacting our children.”